The Mate He Hates

Amanda’s POV

“Welcome, sister.” He took my hand and planted a kiss on it before holding my gaze with an intensity I found really uncomfortable, and I had to look away.

“This is our brother, Alpha Killian,” Matthew introduced, his tone plain and emotionless, as if he was being forced to introduce us.

“Brother, you are here.” Alpha Killian smiled at Matthew, a smile I could clearly see was fake.

“Greetings, Killian,” Matthew greeted plainly.

“It’s Alpha Killian,” Alpha Killian retorted.

Matthew scoffed. “I don’t remember Father naming you Alpha Killian,” Matthew spat back, causing Killian to growl and step closer to him. “If you want to leave here alive, I would advise you to watch your tongue, Matthew…”

“It’s Beta Matthew,” Matthew retorted.

“Stop it, you two,” Father ordered, and they both went mute while throwing daggering glares at each other.

“Your sister, who has been missing for the past twenty-three years, is back home, and all you two can do is fight each other! Unbelievable!” Father snapped, while I swallowed hard and looked at Matthew, who was still glaring at Killian.

“Father, tell your son that it’s not my fault that I came three years before him.” Alpha Killian sneered before walking away from us.

An intense silence hung in the air as no one said a word until Mother sighed and took my hand. “Come, darling, let me show you your room.” She flashed me her charming smile and led the way into the living room. Entering the living room, my eyes scanned around the beautiful interior before I followed Mother up the stairs. We got to a door, she pushed it open, and I stepped in. “Do you like it?” she asked.

Moving my gaze around the room, I took in the soft pastel colors, the plush bedding, and the elegant furnishings. It was beautiful, but it felt unfamiliar, like stepping into a stranger’s life.

“It’s lovely,” I replied softly, my voice betraying my uncertainty. My mother squeezed my hand gently.

“I know this must be overwhelming for you, Amanda,” she said, her tone tender. “But this is your home now. We’re your family.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. It was strange being surrounded by people who claimed to be my family yet felt like strangers. The tension between Killian and Matthew added another layer of unease to my already fragile state.

“Rest for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon,” Mother said, giving me a warm smile before leaving the room. I watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.

I walked over to the window and looked out at the sprawling gardens below. It was a beautiful sight, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. I missed Alpha Edward; I missed the familiarity of his mansion.

As I stood there, the door creaked open, and Matthew stepped in. He looked hesitant, his usual confident demeanor replaced by uncertainty.

“Amanda, are you okay?” he asked softly.

I turned to face him, offering a small smile. “I’m just trying to adjust. It’s a lot to take in. Where is Liam?”

“He is with Father. Don’t worry about him, Amanda. Liam is their first grandchild, so they are bonding with him.” Matthew assured me, while I nodded and sat on the bed.

Matthew stepped closer. “I know. Killian can be… difficult. But he’s not always like that. He’s just… protective of his position,” Matthew assured me, wanting to make me feel comfortable staying here. “Don’t worry, he won’t trouble you,” he reassured me again, and I just sighed and looked away from him.

“You are still worried about him,” Matthew said while I remained silent. “He is fine, Amanda, he is fine,” Matthew reassured me again.

Matthew moved closer and sat down beside me, then placed a hand on my shoulder. “I believe Edward made the best decision to let you come here, sister.”

“He has no right to do that, Matthew. He has no right to send me away,” I murmured with pain. “He has no right,” I grumbled, tears suddenly glinting in my eyes.

Matthew sighed. “With time, you will understand. Just give it time.” He stood up on his feet. “Have some rest. Dinner will be served soon, and you will be called. Don’t worry; here is safe for you and Liam,” he said while I sighed. I just wanted to be with Alpha Edward.

“I will be going back to California,” he said, and my brow furrowed. “So soon?”

“Yes, I have to go back immediately considering Edward’s condition,” he explained while a lump formed in my throat as I wished I could go back with him.

“Call me if anything comes up, okay?”

I nodded, not able to find my words.

As he walked out of the room, my heart clenched, and I wished I could go back with him, but rather, I am stuck here.

Laying on the bed, I stared at the ceiling, my mind a mess.

Another knock came on the door, and I asked the person in to see that it was a maid. “Dinner is ready,” she announced to me, while I nodded and got up.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

I followed her out of the room to the dining table where I met everyone seated: Father, Mother, and Liam.

“Mother,” Liam called excitedly. “Come sit with me.” He gestured, and I smiled and took the seat beside him. It seemed Liam was bonding well with his grandparents.

“Matthew is gone already,” Mother announced to me, and I nodded. “I wish he could stay a little longer,” Mother murmured, clearly not happy with Matthew leaving.

“He is a Beta, my dear,” Father said to Mother, while Mother only sighed and looked away.

I heard footsteps approaching us, and when I turned around, I saw an elegant lady approaching us. She was elegantly dressed, everything about her spoke of power and elegance, and without being told, I knew this should be Father’s second wife.

“I see everyone is here.” She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

She took the seat at the right hand of Father, then held my gaze and smiled. “You must be Amanda, our missing daughter.” She sneered while I frowned at her. It was obvious she didn’t like me.

“Shall we eat?” Mother smiled at me, clearly ignoring her presence.

“Don’t you dare cut me off,” she snapped at Mother.

“You are not welcome here, Estella. You don’t have to be here and act like you are happy,” Mother sneered at her, and both women glared at each other with hate.

“Could you two please stop this?” Alpha Killian’s voice echoed from behind me. I turned and watched him walk over to the table and take his seat.

Staring at Mother, I could see so much anger in her eyes towards Alpha Killian’s mother, which got me curious about what might have happened between them. It was obvious they weren’t the best of co-wives. Seeing how they act, my thoughts went to Alpha Edward, and I wondered how it would feel to see him with another woman, talk more of sharing him with another woman. The thought of it made a knot form in my stomach, and an uncomfortable feeling hit my stomach. I glanced at Mother, and she flashed me a weak smile, which tore my heart. She might have really gone through a lot, and I was glad that I was here with her.

Soon we began eating, but I could feel Killian’s gaze constantly on me, and even when I caught him staring, he would keep looking at me. I found it weird but decided to ignore it and just eat.

After dinner, Mother, Liam, and I went up to Liam’s room. After bathing him, I tucked him into bed, and in no time, he fell asleep.

After I was sure he was asleep, I left the room with Mother, who escorted me to my room. “We have a lot to talk about, my dear, but you need to rest. Tomorrow we will talk.” She smiled and gave me a tight hug. Just like Matthew and Alpha Edward, her arms felt like the safest place in the world.

“Good night,” she beamed at me before turning to leave, while I stared at her until she was out of sight.

Getting back into my room, I took off my clothes and stood in the running shower. I thought of Edward and wished I could talk to him, at least to hear his voice. It was not up to 24 hours, and I was already missing him.

Stepping out of the shower, I tied a towel around my chest and walked out of the bathroom, but I was shocked when I met Alpha Killian in my room.

“What…” I stuttered in shock, confused about how he got into my room because I was sure I locked the door. “It seems you just taken your bath…” he trailed off and slowly gawked at my body before settling his gaze on my exposed thighs.

A big frown spread across my face. “What do you think you are doing?” I spat at him and heard him scoff.

“I heard all that happened to you, how you were a sex slave to Alpha Edward, how he…” he paused and took a step closer to me, while I took a step away from him. “I heard Alpha Edward is crippled.” He grinned, and my frown deepened. “What do you want, Alpha Killian?” I asked with disgust and saw his grin widen.

“Good question, little sister.” He took another step closer, while I took a step back. “I want you, just a night with you is all I ask.”

“Excuse me!” I yelled, and I heard him chuckle loudly.

“Is this some sort of joke?” I yelled, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and fear. He chuckled loudly, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“Relax, Amanda,” Alpha Killian said, his grin widening. “It was just a prank. I wanted to see how you’d react.”

I stared at him, my heart still racing. “A prank? You think this is funny?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “Lighten up. You’re back home now, and it’s time you get used to how things are around here.”

I clenched my fists, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. “If this is how you welcome family, then I want no part of it.”

He scoffed and smirked before gawking at my exposed thighs. “Goodnight, sister.” He flashed an annoying grin at me before walking out of my room.